Festive road safety tips

The Christmas season is about to start and the festive traffic will begin to build as people hurry to join their families or get to their seaside destinations. The roads will be crowded, drivers will be tired and the kids will be bored. Keep safe with these tips from Arrive Alive SA.

Obey the rules of the road and carry your driver’s licence with you.

Plan the route to your holiday destination and allow yourself enough time to reach it without rushing.

Make sure that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition before departure. All lights and indicators, windscreens, windscreen wipers, brakes, steering, shock absorbers, exhaust system and tyres should be carefully examined for faults. Do not overload. Try to avoid driving after dark if possible.

Have a good rest before you embark on your journey

Take safety breaks every two hours or every 200km. Rest, have an energy drink and continue once well rested. Do not drink and drive Try to recognise potentially dangerous drivers on and pedestrians alongside the road and keep well clear of them

Be visible – drive with your lights on

Headlights should be dipped well before an approaching vehicle is within the range of the main beam.

Always wear your seat belt and see that everyone in the vehicle is wearing theirs. Drive defensively Stay within the speed limit at all times

Only overtake when it is absolutely safe to do so

Maintain at least a twosecond following distance